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Construction land expansion is a key driver of urbanization and industrialization, yet it poses the risk of losing farmland and cascading impacts on food supply. The spatial characteristics of farmland occupied by construction land and its association with grain yield in China were unclear. We analyzed the characteristics of farmland converted into construction land, and its relationship with grain yield in China for 2000–2020. Construction land increased in area in central and western regions of China, and farmland decreased in area in southeastern China. The expansion of construction land in the North China Plain, Northeast China Plain, and the Loess Plateau, occurred at the expense of farmland. Except the southeast coast of China, grain yield increase was only weakly dependent on farmland area. Patterns in which farmland was converted into construction land and grain-yield change were highly coupled in southeastern coastal China, Sichuan Basin, Shandong Peninsula, and the Hu Huanyong Line. It should be noted that expansion in construction land area does have some influence on grain production; ultimately it is greatly affected by yield per unit area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: Naturally crosslinked carbonaceous liquid metal aqueous printable ink mediated by biopolymers. E-textile with conductivity, stability, wearability, and aesthetic characteristics. Multi-applications in health monitoring, pressure sensing, and energy harvesting. Achieving flexible electronics with comfort and durability comparable to traditional textiles is one of the ultimate pursuits of smart wearables. Ink printing is desirable for e-textile development using a simple and inexpensive process. However, fabricating high-performance atop textiles with good dispersity, stability, biocompatibility, and wearability for high-resolution, large-scale manufacturing, and practical applications has remained challenging. Here, water-based multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)-decorated liquid metal (LM) inks are proposed with carbonaceous gallium–indium micro-nanostructure. With the assistance of biopolymers, the sodium alginate-encapsulated LM droplets contain high carboxyl groups which non-covalently crosslink with silk sericin-mediated MWCNTs. E-textile can be prepared subsequently via printing technique and natural waterproof triboelectric coating, enabling good flexibility, hydrophilicity, breathability, wearability, biocompatibility, conductivity, stability, and excellent versatility, without any artificial chemicals. The obtained e-textile can be used in various applications with designable patterns and circuits. Multi-sensing applications of recognizing complex human motions, breathing, phonation, and pressure distribution are demonstrated with repeatable and reliable signals. Self-powered and energy-harvesting capabilities are also presented by driving electronic devices and lighting LEDs. As proof of concept, this work provides new opportunities in a scalable and sustainable way to develop novel wearable electronics and smart clothing for future commercial applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of follicular T helper (Tfh) cells in humoral response has been considered essential in recent years. Understanding how Tfh cells control complex humoral immunity is critical to developing strategies to improve the efficacy of vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 and other emerging pathogens. However, the immunologic mechanism of Tfh cells in SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain (RBD) vaccine strategy is limited. In this study, we expressed and purified recombinant SARS-CoV-2 RBD protein in Drosophila S2 cells for the first time and explored the mechanism of Tfh cells induced by RBD vaccine in humoral immune response. We mapped the dynamic of Tfh cell in lymph node and spleen following RBD vaccination and revealed the relationship between Tfh cells and humoral immune response induced by SARS-CoV-2 RBD vaccine through correlation analysis, blocking of IL-21 signaling pathway, and co-culture of Tfh with memory B cells. Recombinant RBD protein elicited a predominant Tfh1 and Tfh1-17 subset response and strong GC responses in spleen and lymph nodes, especially to enhanced vaccination. IL-21 secreted by Tfh cells affected the development and differentiation of B cells and played a key role in the humoral immune response. These observations will help us further understand the mechanism of protective immune response induced by COVID-19 vaccine and has guiding significance for the development of vaccines against newly emerging mutants. Highlights: • Recombinant SARS-CoV-2 RBD protein from Drosophila S2 cells fostered functional Tfh cells and GC responses. • Tfh cells modulated the SARS-CoV-2 RBD protein-induced humoral immunities through the IL-21/IL-21R signaling pathway and efficiently induced the differentiation of memory B cells via IL-21. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Arthroscopic superior capsule reconstruction (SCR) with the long head of the biceps (LHBT) was performed to restore structural stability, force couple balance, and shoulder joint function. This study aimed to evaluate the functional outcomes of SCR using the LHBT over at least 24 months of follow-up. Method: This retrospective study included 89 patients with massive rotator cuff tears who underwent SCR using the LHBT, met the inclusion criteria and underwent follow up for at least 24 months. The preoperative and postoperative shoulder range of motion (forward flexion, external rotation, and abduction), acromiohumeral interval (AHI), visual analog scale (VAS) score, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score and Constant–Murley score were obtained, and the tear size, and Goutallier and Hamada grades were also investigated. Results: Compared with those measured preoperatively, the range of motion, AHI, and VAS, Constant–Murley, and ASES scores were significantly improved immediately postoperatively (P < 0.001) and at the 6-month, 12-month, and final follow-ups (P < 0.001). At the last follow-up, the postoperative ASES score and Constant-Murley score increased from 42.8 ± 7.6 to 87.4 ± 6.1, and 42.3 ± 8.9 to 84.9 ± 10.7, respectively; with improvements of 51 ± 21.7 in forward flexion, 21.0 ± 8.1 in external rotation, and 58.5 ± 22.5 in abduction. The AHI increased 2.1 ± 0.8 mm and the VAS score significantly changed from 6.0 (5.0, 7.0) to 1.0 (0.0, 1.0), at the final follow-up. Eleven of the 89 patients experienced retears, and one patient needed reoperation. Conclusion: In this study with at least 24-months of follow-up, SCR using the LHBT for massive rotator cuff tears could effectively relieve shoulder pain, restore shoulder function and increase shoulder mobility to some extent. Level of evidence: IV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

d-β-hydroxybutyrate (d-3HB), a monomer of microbial polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), is also a natural ketone body produced during carbohydrate deprivation to provide energy to the body cells, heart, and brain. In recent years, increasing evidence demonstrates that d-3HB can induce pleiotropic effects on the human body which are highly beneficial for improving physical and metabolic health. Conventional ketogenic diet (KD) or exogenous ketone salts (KS) and esters (KE) have been used to increase serum d-3HB level. However, strict adaptation to the KD was often associated with poor patient compliance, while the ingestion of KS caused gastrointestinal distresses due to excessive consumption of minerals. As for ingestion of KE, subsequent degradation is required before releasing d-3HB for absorption, making these methods somewhat inferior. This review provides novel insights into a biologically synthesized d-3HB (d-3-hydroxybutyric acid) which can induce a faster increase in plasma d-3HB compared to the use of KD, KS, or KE. It also emphasizes on the most recent applications of d-3HB in different fields, including its use in improving exercise performance and in treating metabolic or age-related diseases. Ketones may become a fourth micro-nutrient that is necessary to the human body along with carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Indeed, d-3HB being a small molecule with multiple signaling pathways within the body exhibits paramount importance in mitigating metabolic and age-related diseases. Nevertheless, specific dose–response relationships and safety margins of using d-3HB remain to be elucidated with more research. Key points: • d-3HB induces pleiotropic effects on physical and metabolic health. • Exogenous ketone supplements are more effective than ketogenic diet. • d-3HB as a ketone supplement has long-term healthy impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is a correction notice for an article titled "Activation and induction of antigen-specific T follicular helper cells play a critical role in recombinant SARS-CoV-2 RBD vaccine-induced humoral responses" published in the journal Molecular Biomedicine. The authors reported that a funding number needed to be added in the funding section of the original article. The correction provides the updated version of the funding section. The original article has been corrected. [Extracted from the article]

Fog microphysical research in China based on field experiments obtained many important results in recent 50 years. With the fast development of China's economy, urbanization in the last 30 years, special features of fog microphysical structure also appeared, which did not appear in other countries. This article reviews the fog microphysical research around China, and introduces the effect of urbanization on fog microphysical structure and the microphysical processes as well as macroscopic conditions of radiation fog droplet spectral broadening. Urbanization led to an increase in fog droplet number concentration but decreases in fog liquid water content (LWC) and fog droplet size, as well as a decrease in visibility in large cities. Observations show that the radiation fog could be divided into wide-spectrum one, which is all extremely dense fog with the spectral width more than 40 μm, and narrow-spectrum one, most of which is dense fog with the spectral width less than 22 μm, according to droplet spectral distribution. During developing from dense fog to extremely dense fog, the widespectrum radiation fog is characterized by explosive deepening, that is, within a very short time (about 30 min), the droplet concentration increase by about one order of magnitude, droplet spectral broadening across 20 μm, generally up to 30-40 μm, or even 50 μm. As a result, water content increased obviously, visibility decreased to less than 50 m, when dense fog became extremely dense fog. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

n extremely dense radiation fog event during 10-11 December 2007 was studied to understand its macro-/micro-physics in relation to dynamic and thermodynamic structures of the boundary layer, as well as its structural evolution in conjunction with the air-surface exchange of heat and water vapor. The findings are as follows. The extreme radiation fog process was divisible into formation, development, mature, and dissipation phases, depending on microstructure and visibility. This fog event was marked by rapid evolution that occurred after sunrise, when enhanced surface evaporation and cold air intrusion led to a three order of magnitude increase in liquid water content (LWC) in just 20 minutes. The maximum droplet diameter (MDD) increased four-fold during the same period. The fog structure was two-layered, with the top of both the surface-layer and upper-layer components characterized by strong temperature and humidity inversions, and low-level jets existed in the boundary layer above each fog layer. Turbulence intensity, turbulent kinetic energy, and friction velocity differed remarkably from phase to phase: these features increased gradually before the fog formation and decreased during the development phase; during the mature and dissipation phases these characteristics increased and then decreased again. In the development and mature stages, the mean kinetic energy of the lower-level winds decreased pronouncedly, both in the horizontal and vertical directions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate effects of atmospheric pollutants on fog nature, a comprehensive in situ observation project was implemented in the northern suburb of Nanjing, in December of 2006. For December 24–27 there occurred a heavy fog lasting 4 d in succession. This event is of rare characteristics, namely long persistence, high concentration, tall fog top, acid fog water and explosive growth. Detailed analysis along with the causes of the fog was presented. The evidence suggests that the fog was generated by nighttime radiative cooling, maintained and developed under effects of warm, wet advection. As a result, it is an advection-radiation fog event. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An elaborate cloud chemistry box model has developed in which gaseous-phase photochemistry is coupled with aqueous-phase chemistry to investigate the variation of ozone concentration and its distribution features above and below cloud, and in its upper and lower part, with results compared to observations. The cloud chemistry model is composed of three parts: gaseous-phase chemistry, aqueous-phase chemistry, and scavenging of soluble gases. The cloud influence on the ozone concentration can be separated into three portions: 1) the change of solar radiation flux by cloud which is responsible for decreasing or increasing of photochemical reaction in the troposphere and thus reducing or enhancing the concentration; 2) direct absorption of ozone and its precursors (NOx, NMHC, free radicals, etc.) by in-cloud liquid water; 3) aqueous-phase chemical reaction happening to species absorbed by cloud, responsible for the change in gaseous-phase ozone concentration. Numerical simulations show substantial difference in the importance regarding the effect of these factors on ozone between these levels and a close relation of cloud physical structure to the factors. The results agree well with the observations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]